ITV orders true crime series Twisted Twins from Like A Shot

ITV and Argonons Like A Shot West have announced Twisted Twinsa new two-part true crime documentary series, with each episode telling the disturbing story of a different pair of identical twins involved in murder, manslaughter or missing persons cases.

From the case of the missing body of Lynette Dawson in Australia to the brutal murder of the Whitehead sisters’ mother, Nikki, in the USA, Twisted Twins “Finds out what happens when the intense bond between identical twins turns into a close companionship and asks if their unique relationship – or lack of individual identity – could have deadly consequences?”

Using archival footage, forensic reports and witness testimony, each episode examines a different true twin crime story “to investigate whether the phenomenon of the twin relationship influenced the grim events that unfolded.”

Twisted twins examines the true story of Atlanta twin sisters Jasmiyah and Tasmiyah Whitehead, who were convicted of murdering their own mother. In 2010, the twins flagged down a police car outside their home and told Georgia police officers who rushed to the scene that they had found their mother brutally murdered; Nikki Whitehead had been attacked with a vase and stabbed over sixty times. But soon the sisters' story began to emerge. The investigation follows the trail of evidence to uncover the events that led them to commit this crime, speaking to family friends, investigators, twin psychologists and attorneys involved in the original case.

The series also follows the 1982 disappearance of Lyn Dawson, a missing person case in New South Wales, Australia that remained unsolved for over 35 years. When a hit podcast sheds new light on Lyn's story, previously unknown allegations are made against her husband Chris Dawson and his identical twin brother Paul, both formerly part-time models and professional rugby league players. Through interviews with friends, family and those who knew them, this episode reconstructs the events that led to Chris Dawson standing trial for his wife's murder and explores allegations of previous sex offences committed by the brothers.

Danny O'Brien, Head of Programming for Like A Shot, commented: “Through first-hand testimony and extensive archive footage, Twisted Twins examines the uniquely compelling cases of true twin crimes. By examining the psychology of troubled twin relationships, the documentary investigates whether the intensity of the bonds directly led to or influenced truly gruesome crimes.”

Henry Scott, Managing Director of Like A Shot, said: “This gripping new documentary series marks an exciting new direction for Like A Shot West. It is our first commission from ITV and our debut series in true crime, building on our wider range of reality shows for UK, US and international broadcasters.”

Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV's factual controller, said: “This series offers a unique insight into the psychology of identical twins and a unique twist on the crime genre – offering a double level of impact and insight.”

Twisted Twins is produced by Like A Shot West, part of Argonon, for ITV. The series was executive produced by Danny O'Brien, Nik Guttridge and Henry Scott and directed by Thomas Meadmore. The series was commissioned by Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV Controller of Factual. The series is distributed by ITV Studios.

Jon Creamer

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